Method of building erection



July 13, 1965 R- E. LEE ETAL METHOD OF BUILDING ERECTION 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 24, 1961 y 1955 R. E. LEE ETAL 3,193,973

METHOD OF BUILDING ERECTION Filed Feb. 24, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 M,Mz /d July 13, 1965 5, E ETAL 3,193,973

METHOD OF BUILDING ERECTION Filed Feb. 24, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 a 22 2 K 37 i warty.

United States Patent 3,193,973 METHUB Gi BUILDING ERECTEQN Robert E. Lee and dunior Wiliiam Reuscher, St. Louis (County, Md, and Richard A. Klinlnnan, New Baden,

llh, assignors to Granite City Steel Company, Granite (Jity, 111., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 24, 1961, Ser. No. 91,443 2 Qlairns. (Cl. 59-531) This invention relates to improvements in building.

constructions and to a method of erecting the same.

The art of construction and erection of houses, buildings, and the like has shown very little progress over methods used in the past, and very little has been done for simplifying the fabrication and construction of the many components, sub-assemblies and even major assemblies of pre-itted components. Likewise, this art has always and still does require a large number of workers to perform the erection work. This invention is not concerned with conventional steel, reinforced concrete, brick, masonry or wood construction. It is, however, directed to moderate size constructions for houses, buildings, util ity structures. and the like in which the components are prefabricated, light weight parts which are fitted at the job-site by one or two Workers using simple hand tools and portable ladders, and in which scaffolding or temporary supports are not necessary or need be provided.

It is, therefore, an important object of this invention to provide an erection method or procedure for houses and the like composed of simple and lightweight parts whereby economies in labor may be realized.

It is an object of this invention to provide pre-fabricated construction components utilizing simple fastening means and to teach an improved and economical procedure for erecting the components.

Another object of this invention is to provide a building erection procedure in which certain components are utilized as a starting frame for subsequent components whereby scaffolding and temporary supports can be dispensed with. r

A further object of this invention is to provide a building construction in which side walls and roof sheets are combined with a horizontal truss assembly so that vertical and horizontal loads are efliciently distributed and the assembly is aligned and rendered quite rigid.

It is a further object of this invention to provide certain components in a building assembly of improved utility as temporary supports for other components during erection of the assembly and to subsequently transform the temporary supporting function of these components into an integrated portion of the assembly. I

Other objects and advantages of this invention will appear as the description of the selected embodiments proceeds, reference being directed to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a house construction embodying the improvements of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of an early stage of the erection procedure herein preferred;

FIG. 3 is a further illustration in perspective of another stage in the erection procedure;

FIG. 4 is, a greatly enlarged and fragmentary perspective view of certain components shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of a building making use of the principles of this invention;

FIG. 6 is a greatly enlarged perspective view of components of the assembly of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a further perspective of a component of FIG. 6, but seen from the reverse side;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional elevational view taken along line 88 in FIG. 2;

3,193,973 Federated July 13, 1965 FIG. 9 is a perspective view from the end of another component in the assembly of FIG. 1,the view being at the elevation 99 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a perspectiveview of a further component of considerable height without the use of scaffolding or other temporary supporting means so as to allow for economical and speedy erection. This erection procedure is based upon the use of hinged connections at both ends of the sheet and a restraining means at the base so that the sheets and the base form a stable triangle.

Considered in its simplest form, this invention contemplates 21 construction in which a series of side sheets are joined'at a ridge line and anchored at a base line, thereby providing a shell or form for the support of a horizontal truss within the sheets to stiffen the sheets against horizontal loads and leave substantially only vertical loads for the sheets to resist or withstand. It also contemplates completing the construction by the placement of tie down diaphragms or frames at the ends of the combined sheets and truss. A novel and unique improvement is that the uniting of the components provides a threedimensional structure in which no individual section can.

be consideredfunctionally load resistant by itself. The vertical loads of this three-dimensional structure are carried by the action of the side sheets. The side sheets are so porportioned that they are designed to be self-supporting but notof sufllcient strength to carry normal vertical loads when first erected. The horizontal truss so stifi'ens the sheets that the vertical loads can be functionally carried by the action of the side sheets. The. horizontal loads are carriedby the joint action of the side sheets and the horizontal truss. The truss reaction. from the horizontal loads is transferred todiaphragms at the ends and thence to the ground. The horizontal truss therefore performs a dual function and thus eliminates the need for a separate transverse structural member, as found in conventional practices.

Another feature of thisjinvention is the construction of a building in which there are no vertical or other framing members between the end diaphragms of the build,- ing other than a horizontal truss used to stiffen the sheets.

In FIGS. 1 and 5, the assembly of components results in the construction of a building 15 upon a base 16 which may be a wall (shown) or a platform, or slab, or maybe a section of prepared ground. The base 16 carries a pair of angle members 17 which are anchored along opposite margins, and have outer upstanding flanges 18 (FIG. 6). The flanges 18 are prepunehed with apertures 20 and slots 21 to cooperate with apertures 22 formed in the fulcrum legs 23 of anchors 24 (FIGS. 6 and 7 for side sheets 25, there being nine such sheets at each side of the building illustrated, but the number of sheets may be, more or less. Each anchor 24 has an angular support leg 26 suitably punched With an aperture 27 and slots 28. The anchors 2j14 (FIG. 8) are attached to the inner side of the side sheets 25 by threaded or bolt means 29 inserted in the aperture 27 and slots 23, the aperture being the locating means for the sheet and the slots providing allowances for production tolerancep While means 29 is shown as a threaded means it is understood that other means could be employed. 4

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, it is seen that the building is formed by side sheets 25 rising to a ridge line and that there are, in the example shown, nine side sheets on each side. Beginning with the most leftward 7 means (not shown).

I provided with aridge flange 30. V .otherthan for the starting sheets to allow these sheets side sheets 25, and observing FIGS 2 and 3, the sheets 25 are each provided with anchors 24 adjacent the base ends, and are hingedly joined. at "the adjacent ends by ridge flanges 30 having cooperating leaf hinges 31 (FIG. 4). One anchor 24 (the left one in FIG. 2) is set with its fulcrum leg .23 against the inside of the flange 18 so that the sheet 25 lies over the base 16 and the cooperating'sheet 25; extends rightwardly from the base. A

Worker, or a Worker and helper, is ableto lift the sheet 25 at arrow A thereby pulling the other sheet 25 in the direction of arrow B. By combiningthe lift at A and.

push at B the two sheets25 are raised to the positionof FIG. 3 in which the anchors 24 are engaged in the members 17 and the hinged connected ridge flanges 30 are folded to start the formation'of a ridge member, These two sheets constitute the starting side sheets and are;

structurally stable enough because of the triangulated re: lation with base :16 and, attachment at flanges 18 In FIG. 6 it is seen that theflange 18 is formed with'a guide aperture 20 and slots 21 at each side, and that the anchor 24 has apertures 22 which align with the flange aperture 20 and slots 21 toreceive bolts or other suitable securing Once the starting pair erected (FIG. 3) and attached to the base 16 as described,

the worker can place a'ladder ,L on a side sheet and' climb to the ridge flange 30 to place an erection bar 'E to a portion of one of the ridge flanges 30 by a clamp or gripping pliers or the likePL The bar E then'becomes.

the temporary support for. the next side sheet 25 which is to be raised and support themselves during construction. After the third side sheet is placed against the erection bar E, avfourth sheet (not shown) is then erected for cooperation with the third sheet and the ridge flanges are attached to each other. applied to unite the ridge flanges of the four side sheets. The erection bar E isrm-oved to the next position and the same procedure is followed each time until the full s'et ofsaidsheets has been raised and interconnected. Up

to' this stage of the construction thetools used are wrenches for the bolts, a ladder, the erection bar E and pliers P. If two people work together, one can straddle the ridge flanges while the other can lift the side sheets of side sheets 25 has been No hinges are needed A connector'plate 32 is then 1 base 16; A base-plate or still 41 may be employed for this purpose. If not then theuanchor; 40 is carried by the base 16. The struts 38 carry a horizontal element 42 at the elevation of the truss T,'and connectors 43 extend therefrom to .connectto the truss element 44.

' T Either the elements 44 or'43may be eliminated if desired and the other elements used to make a direct con- .(FIGS. 3' and 4) irr'extended position by clamping it into position, using theerection bar E as a guide. Obf I viously each side sheet 25 has an anchor 24 attached thereto, and these may be close to the lower 'ends, as in FIG. 5, or they may be located farther up on the side sheets 25 to' afiiord greater overhang. Asseen inFIG. 1, the pairsof side sheets are spaced'from each other to leave gaps which are closed by a batten'arrangementto be referred to later. a p

The foregoing procedure is followed by the construction of a horizontally disposed truss Tin the interior and cificallythe properties of solid diaphragms are largely upon the sheets at some preselected elevation.- The truss is best seen in FIGS. 5 and 9, and comprises aseri es of Z-bars 34 which are attached to the 'side sheets and in this embodiment, span three' side sheets. The Z-bars 34 at each side are connected by splice'm'embers 35"so that the bars 34 and splice members 35 at each side form the chord members of the truss T. The Web of the truss T is formed of a number of diagonally directed members, in this embodiment consistingof tubes '36'andattachment angles 37 at the opposite ends thereof. The

horizontal leg of the angles 37 arebolted or secured .to

the Z-bars 34 in the pattern illustrated in FIG. 9, but no limitation is to be imposed by this arrangement.- The erection of the truss T iscarried outpart-by part on the. side sheets until completed, after which the side sheets carry the vertical loads and the. truss resists sideloads and stiffens the side sheets in the mid-span zone; De-

pending .on the height a step-ladder may be required for this procedure and wrenches are again used.

'the web thickness is. comparatively very small. 7 cut shear stresses and shear deformation or skewing greatnection. v V

The construction is substantially batten is shown in FIG. 11, and includes an exterior elongated structural shape 46 and an interior holder 47 secured together by means 48'spaced along the, length thereof. The interior ;holder'is made in two pieces divided at. the elevation of the truss T for convenience. It is not necessary inall casesthat the side sheets 25. be spaced apart, and in FIG. 12 the sheets 25 are illustrated in overlapped or interlocked arrangement so that no batten assembly is required. "This can be applied in the construction of FIG. 1 by shortening the length of the ridge flanges.30-so that there is no interference when the sheetsare interlocked,v Y

In the foregoing disclosure reference hasbeen made i to structure which has. the function of a truss, or shear frame, or diaphragm. Theseterms are -used. to describe a-component of the present assembly and has the following meaning: a structural diaphragm maybe defined as a relatively thin structural element, that is, one Where the thickness to depth or width relationship of the assembly is small.

It'is usually conceaved as flat and of rectangular shape capable'of resisting shear parallel to its edges. In the broadest sense a diaphragmis defined by two facesand a'plurality of edges and is attached to adjacent elements-along two or more edges. vA trussed diaphragm differs from a solid or sheathed diaphragm by virtue of the elimination or omittance 'of that material not used to diagonally direct the shearforces to a diaphragm attached edges. Elfective. diaphragm action re- 1 quires suflicient strength to withstand shear and moment in its plane and sufiicient rigidity tollimit horizontal deflection. It resembles conventional beam and girder action in general concept but differs greatly in behavior because the span-depth ratio isusually less than four and Consistly predominate over bending stresses and deflection. Spedependent on the nailing of the laminations. The prop erties of Sheatheddiaphragms depend principally on the elfectiveness of the sheathing and the .properties of truss and pressurediaphragms depend largely on the diagonal.

What is claimed is:. i i 1. A method of erecting the opposite side sheets for a slant-sided building structurewhich includes hingedly interconnecting the adjacent'ends of a first pair of opposed, self-supporting side-sheets, raising the hingedly connected ends of the firstfpairiof 'sidesheets into the position of use, temporarily attaching an -elongated erection member to the hingedly interconnected adjacent ends of the first pair of side sheets suchthat the erection member projects .outwardly in space withfa portion of its length free, utilizirig the self-supporting character of the first pair of side sheets and the free length of the erection member to support the next pair of opposed, self-supporting side sheets, placing the said next pair of side sheets with raised ends supported on the erection member and interconnecting completed, as to its. I more important components, by placementof the ridge T cover 45 over the ridge flanges 30, and by assembly of a the batten members over the gaps in the side sheets. The

such raised ends to fix the same in position of use, and progressively moving the elongated erection member to a new temporary attachment at the interconnected ends of the last raised set of opposed side sheets until the slant-sided building structure is complete.

2. A method of erecting self-supporting side sheets for a slant sided building which comprises forming a first set of sheets for opposite surfaces of the slant sides by hingedly connecting adjacent ends of the first set of sheets, raising the first set of sheets by elevating the hingedly connected ends to the position of use, fixing the opposite lower ends of the first set of sheets against spreading, removably attaching to a portion of the raised hingedly connected ends of the first set of sheets an erection member which projects outwardly from a portion of the hingedly connected ends, raising a second set of sheets in position with adjacent elevated ends resting on the erection member, fixing the opposite lower ends of the second set of sheets against spreading and in positions to match the slanted position of the first set of side sheets, connecting the elevated adjacent ends of the second set of sheets to fix the position of use thereof, removing the erection member and removably attaching it to a portion of the connected ends of the second set of sheets to project outwardly as before, and repeating the sequence of raising and connecting the adjacent raised ends of subsequent sets of sheets into slanted positions while supported by the erection member until the slant sides of the building are completed.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,253,387 1/18 Kane 189-2 2,136,987 11/38 Walker -64 2,270,161 1/42 Briggs. 2,480,330 8/49 Kump 202 2,670,818 3/54 Hacker 189-2 2,722,901 11/55 Johnson 50-64 3,057,119 10/62 Kessler 50-80 FOREIGN PATENTS 839,086 5/52 Germany. 892,577 1/44 France.

OTHER REFERENCES Engineering News-Record (publication) of November 4, 1954, page 35.

EARL J. WITMER, Primary Examiner.

JACOB SHAPIRO, JACOB L. NACKENOFF,

Examiners. 

1. A METHOD OF ERECTING THE OPPOSITE SIDE SHEETS FOR A SLANT-SIDED BUILDING STRUCTURE WHICH INCLUDES HINGEDLY INTERCONNECTING THE ADJACENT ENDS OF A FIRST PAIR OF OPPOSED, SELF-SUPPORTING SIDE SHEETS, RAISING THE HINGEDLY CONNECTED ENDS OF THE FIRST PAIR OF SIDE SHEETS INTO THE POSITION OF USE, TEMPORARILY ATTACHING AN ELONGATED ERECTION MEMBER TO THE HINGEDLY INTERCONNECTED ADJACENT ENDS OF THE FIRST PAIR OF SIDE SHEETS SUCH THAT THE ERECTION MEMBER PROJECTS OUTWARDLY IN SPACE WITH A PORTION OF ITS LENGTH FREE, UTILIZING THE SELF-SUPPORTING CHARACTEROF THE FIRST PAIR OF SIDE SHEETS AND THE FREE LENGTH OF THE ERECTION MEMBER TO SUPPORT THE NEXT PAIR OF OPPOSED, SELF-SUPPORTING SIDE SHEETS, PLACING THE SAID NEXT PAIR OF SIDE SHEETS WITH RAISED ENDS SUPPORTED ON THE ERECTION MEMBER AND INTERCONNECTING SUCH RAISED ENDS TO FIX THE SAME IN POSITION OF USE, AND PROGRESSIVELY MOVING THE ELONGATED ERECTION MEMBER TO A NEW TEMPORARY ATTACHMENT AT THE INTERCONNECTED ENDS OF THE LAST RAISED SET OF OPPOSED SIDE SHEETS UNTIL THE SLANT-SIDED BUILDING STRUCTURE IS COMPLETE. 